Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,64
The positives outweigh any of the bad, though. It’s good to know your neighbors and to be there for one another when the going gets tough.”
“You really don’t have to worry about things being tough anymore,” she said.
“You don’t have to worry too much yourself. You have a successful business,” he pointed out.
She laughed. “Are you a little touchy about the money situation?”
He sighed. She was wondering if talking was what they should be doing, because the more she got to know him, the more she liked him. That was a very dangerous road to go down.
He started to speak, then stopped and clenched his jaw. She reached out and touched his arm, feeling like that was what he needed right then. She wasn’t sure why. He was facing forward, and she was more than aware of his chiseled jaw and high cheekbones. He’d been very lucky in the genetic lottery.
“I grew up very poor. But that didn’t take away from an incredible childhood. Once my monster of a father passed away, all we had was love in our house. I wish so much you could’ve met my mother. She was the most amazing woman you’d ever get to know. She had strength and kindness in every bone of her body. The things she put up with over the years to keep her children safe were horrible. But she tried keeping it away from all of us. I have nothing but respect for her.” He paused, but she knew he wasn’t finished.
“There were times in my life I hated being poor, times I complained about it. But as I got older, I realized it was shaping me. Nothing was handed to me. Everything I wanted, I had to work dang hard for. That’s something I truly appreciate now. When my brothers and I first found out we were one of those Andersons, at first I didn’t want it. I knew it would cause major changes in my life—in all of our lives.”
“Do you still feel that way?”
He finally turned and looked at her and smiled. “No. I always had an image in my head of what truly rich people were like. I mean, they’re portrayed in the movies as utter snobs, and there’s so much negative you see on social media with stars going crazy. I’d never met anyone to change my mind. That was until I met my uncle Joseph.”
“Yeah, he’s not what you’d expect,” she said.
“No, not at all. He lives big, and he definitely likes his toys, but I watch as he gives billions of dollars away without any fanfare. Did you know he hasn’t taken a single donation for this center?”
She blinked at him. “No, I didn’t know that.”
“Lots of money has poured in to help with it, as people love what he’s doing, but he’s forwarded all of that money into other veterans projects so they can get more help. He’s footed this entire expense. And let me tell you—nothing about it has been done second rate.”
“The appliances alone were a couple hundred thousand,” she said with a gulp. Realizing one person was paying for it all made her shudder a bit. Maybe she should have been a bit more conservative on what she’d ordered. She couldn’t have regrets, though, because she knew the joy the center was going to bring. And the kitchen was the heart of any home.
“He loves to give, and he’s taught me a lot in the few short years I’ve known him. Yes, I have a lot of money in my bank account now, but it doesn’t change my values or who I am. It just makes me want to be like him, to live up to this name he’s made. I don’t ever want to live off of a name. I want to do it on my own. I want to be like him.”
“I can’t believe I tried so hard to pass up working on this project. I’m even more grateful now to be a part of it,” she told him.
“Me too. There was zero hesitation on my part. Not only do I get to work with my brothers and you and your besties and so many other people, but I get to be a part of something that I’m hoping will be the first in a long line of centers. I’ve done well in my career, and I’m set for life financially. I’m still young enough to make a difference in this world. I hope I can do